Wednesday, September 26, 2007

According to the ALA (American Library Association) and the Office for Intellectual Freedom, Sept 29 - Oct 6 is the 26th anniversary of Banned Books Week. Check out the list of the 100 most frequently challenged books:

I am passionate about the individual's right to read and write what he or she chooses. As the fabulous Ray Bradbury said in one of my all time favorite books, FAHRENHEIT 451, "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them."

So, ready for some irony? Next week (during Banned Books Week) is the launch of BETRAYED, the second in the young adult House of Night series I co-author with my daughter. We're having the launch party at The Blend, a locally owned coffee shop in downtown Broken Arrow. Yesterday I dropped off a poster and a book to the lovely owner of the shop, Sheri. She said, "You would not believe the phone call I just had." And proceeded to tell me about an asshat man who called and felt the need to inform her that she should know P.C. Cast writes "soft porn" (huh? really?). Lovely Sheri asked if he'd ever read any of my books. As per typical for those kind of people, he hadn't, but he'd been to my website. (again, huh? my website is soft porn?) Sadly, Sheri actually tried to reason with him and explain that I don't write "soft porn," but that my books with adult sexual content are written for ADULTS. My YA books are a whole different world. Again, as per typical, he made a threat about telling people what kind of place she was running...bluster...bully...blah...blah... Sheri hung up on him (obviously not soon enough).

MR. ASSHAT - IF YOU'RE SKULKING ABOUT ON MY BLOG, GET THIS - THIS IS AMERICA AND YOU DO NOT GET TO CHOOSE FOR US WHAT WE READ AND WRITE, AND WHAT OUR CHILDREN READ AND WRITE. IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY WORK (or don't think you do, you can't actually have an informed opinion unless you READ what you're trying to ban others from reading) DON'T BUY IT.

As for me - I open every school year teaching TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD to my sophomores. Please note it's on the banned books list.

Zoey "Z" Redbird is a fledgling vampyre. She has managed to finally settle in at the House of Night finishing school. Z has been Chosen by the vampyre goddess, Nyx, and she has already kicked vampyre ghost butt. Yet still Zoey has a strange feeling something is wrong, like the stillness before a tornado or storm.

Zoey's Imprint with Heath remains and she still finds herself caring for the mortal teenager. The mutual attraction between Z and Erik, also a fledgling, remains as well. Yet Zoey is finding herself intrigued by Loren Blake as well. Loren is a part-time, temporary professor (of poetry class) at the academy. Zoey is sure he cannot be more than five or six years older than she, however, relationships between students and teachers are prohibited.

Zoey is about to conduct her first Full Moon Ritual as leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons. Zoey's life is full and she has little alone time for herself. It soon becomes apparent that she better make some time for a new problem. People Zoey knew from her prior human life are disappearing. When and where their bodies are eventually found, as well as the cause of deaths, point to the House of Night. To save all the humans and vampyres she cares for, Zoey must face a betrayal that could break her heart, if not her very soul. May Nyx protect her!

***** If you have not read the first book, MARKED, then I highly suggest you do so before beginning this title. If you do not, you will still be able to understand what is going on; however, you will not be privy to some references of Zoey's adventurous past and markings. Believe me when I say this series could be categorized as either Young Adult or Fantasy. It does not matter if you are male or female, this series will enthrall you against your will. Authors P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast are a dangerous writing duo with poisonous pens. Highly recommended.

Monday, September 17, 2007

To coincide with the release of DIVINE BY BLOOD, LUNA is publishing DARKNESS BETRAYED, which is an on-line read posted chapter-by-chapter daily (STARTING TODAY!) for twenty chapters. DARKNESS BETRAYED is set fifty years before the events of DIVINE BY MISTAKE, and it tells the story of how the Fomorians, Nuada in particular, take over Guardian Castle. It's also a love story - a very surprising one at that. Okay, this is how you get to it - and, yes, it is FREE. Go to www.eharlequin.com. You'll have to sign in, but that's no big deal - they won't sell your babies or anything. Then click on the TALK bubble towards the bottom of the page. Look on the right side of your screen and click on the LUNA link. You'll see the link for the on-line read of DARKNESS BETRAYED from there. Check it out, and please let me know what you think. Here's the teaser:

Daily Online Read: Darkness Betrayed by P.C. CastThough Aine knows it is her destiny to be Guardian Castle’s Healer, she just can’t get used to the stark surroundings and dreary people.

Go back in time, fifty years before the events of author P.C. Cast’s Partholon books…read Darkness Betrayed

Aine longs for the beauty of Partholon. Her only companion in her new home is a centaur huntress, Maev, another outsider. But when Maev is involved in what the warriors call an accident, Aine begins to realize there may be evil forces at work in the castle! And when she is led by her Goddess to an injured winged man—one of the Fomorians Guardian Castle was built to protect against--Aine is forced to make a life-altering choice…

Thursday, September 13, 2007

I admit to being behind on several things. First, my TBR pile is daunting and alluring - it teases me constantly. I'm in the middle of the last Potter right now, with Eclipse waiting for me after that. And then I openly admit that I came to the Buffy/Angel obsession late and watched all seasons of both shows on DVD in one big, obsessed rush. Joss Whedon owes me many hours of my life back. And now I've discovered SMALLVILLE. How could I have missed this show? I am Superman's girl, and have been since I read all of the Freeman boys' comics up in their game room when I was, uh, let's see...probably 9-13. I discovered Superman, Swampthing, Thor, Fantastic 4, and the Hulk. I swear those summers of reading with those boys twisted me into the author I am today. And now Smallville! I had never watched it, but bought the first season after watching the first 4 episodes. So what is it about the Superman Mistique that hits so many of us so hard? Is it his honesty - his vulnerbility - or his tall hotness and that damn gorgeous mouth? I really wish Superman wasn't so stringently copyrighted because I would LOVE to bring in a real woman of today for him to fall in love with. Hum...perhaps I should give my agent a call and test the waters...it's about time there was a Superman romance, don't ya think?